Genetic Aspects of Necrobiotic Xanthogranuloma.

This genetic association study examines the genetic aspects of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma in 3 patients in China.

Pre-anoxic electro-stimulation enhanced simultaneous nitrification-denitrification in single-stage electrolysis-integrated sequencing batch biofilm reactor.

Simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) is a promising nitrogen removal process. However, total nitrogen (TN) removal is limited due to unsatisfactory denitrification. This study demonstrated that short-time (1 h) pre-anoxic electro-stimulation significantly enhanced SND efficiency in the aerobic phase by promoting the proliferation of mixotrophic and heterotrophic denitrifiers. SND and TN removal efficiencies at the optimal electric current (EC) (0.02 A) were 85.6 % and 93.9 %, which were 39.1 % and 17.2 % higher than control. Microbial community analysis indicated that the abundance of mixotrophic and heterotrophic denitrifiers significantly increased. H2 generated in the electro-stimulation process induced the proliferation of mixotrophic denitrifiers. The weak EC (0.02 A) promoted the activity and growth of heterotrophic denitrifiers by accelerating electron transfer. They concurrently mediated heterotrophic denitrification to enhance SND efficiency. PICRUSt2 analysis revealed that the abundance of denitrifying genes dramatically surged. This study provides new insights into applying electrolysis to achieve advanced SND while minimizing electricity consumption.

A case of primary cutaneous Cryptococcus neoformans infection.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcosis is an infectious disease caused by encapsulated heterobasidiomycete yeasts. As an opportunistic pathogen, cryptococcal inhalation infection is the most common. While Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis is extremely uncommon. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis on long-term prednisone developed a red plaque on her left thigh. Despite initial antibiotic treatment, the erythema worsened, leading to rupture and fever. Microbiological analysis of the lesion's secretion revealed Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. Skin biopsy showed thick-walled spores, and culture confirmed primary cutaneous infection with Cryptococcus neoformans. Histopathological stains were positive, and mass spectrometry identified serotype A of the pathogen. The patient was treated with oral fluconazole and topical nystatin, resulting in significant improvement and near-complete healing of the skin lesion within 2.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis was a primary skin infection exclusively located on the skin. It has no typical clinical manifestation of cutaneous infection of Cryptococcus, and culture and histopathology remain the gold standard for diagnosing. The recommended medication for Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis is fluconazole. When patients at risk for opportunistic infections develop skin ulcers that are unresponsive to antibiotic, the possibility of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis needs to be considered.

The Buerger's rabbit model: a closer step to unravelling thromboangiitis obliterans?

OBJECTIVE: Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) remains clinical challenging due to its rarity and underwhelming management outcomes. This study aimed to describe a novel TAO rabbit model that demonstrates a closer resemblance to TAO. METHODS: Thirty-six New Zealand rabbits underwent the surgical implantation of calibrated gelatin sponge particles (CGSPs) into their right femoral artery. The CGSPs were soaked in different solutions to simulate different types of thrombi: normal (NT; normal saline); inflammatory TAO thrombus (TAO; dimethylsulfoxide [DMSO]), and DMSO with methotrexate (MTX). All groups underwent clinical assessment, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and histopathological analysis at time points day 0 (immediate), week 1 (acute), week 2 (subacute), and week 4 (chronic). RESULTS: The TAO rabbit presented with signs of ischemia of the right digit at week 4. On DSA, the TAO rabbits exhibited formation of corkscrew collaterals starting week 1. On H&E staining, gradual CGSP degradation was observed along with increased red blood cell aggregation and inflammatory cells migration in week 1. On week 2, disorganization of the tunica media layer and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation was observed. In the TAO rabbit, migrated VSMCs, inflammatory cells, and extracellular matrix with collagen-like substances gradually occluded the lumen. On week 4, the arterial lumen of the TAO rabbit was filled with relatively-organized VSMC and endothelial cell clusters with less inflammatory cells. Neorevascularization was found in the MTX-treated group. CONCLUSION: The novel TAO rabbit model shows a closer resemblance to human TAO clinically, radiographically, and histopathologically. Histological analysis of the IT progression in the TAO model suggests that it is of VSMC origin.

Enhanced Survival with Lymphadenectomy in Early-Stage Metachronous Second Primary Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphadenectomy is a cornerstone in the surgical management of resectable primary lung cancer. However, its prognostic significance in early-stage metachronous second primary lung cancer (MSPLC) remains poorly understood. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of lymphadenectomy in these patients using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the SEER Database for patients surgically treated for stage I MSPLC between 2004 and 2015. Propensity score-matching was employed to create comparable cohorts, and the Cox proportional hazards model was utilized to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival after lymphadenectomy compared to non-lymphadenectomy. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test. RESULTS: Among 920 identified patients with MSPLC, 574 (62.4%) underwent lymphadenectomy. Propensity score-matching yielded 255 patients in both the lymphadenectomy and non-lymphadenectomy groups. Over a median follow-up of 38 months, the 5-year overall survival probability after a diagnosis of MSPLC was 58.7% in the lymphadenectomy group and 43.9% in the non-lymphadenectomy group (HR: 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.64-0.90; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: In this population-based study, lymphadenectomy is associated with prolonged overall survival in patients with stage I MSPLC. These findings suggest the potential benefit of incorporating lymphadenectomy into the surgical management of MSPLC, providing valuable guidance for thoracic surgeons in clinical decision-making.

Separation of benzene and toluene associated with vapochromic behaviors by hybrid[4]arene-based co-crystals.

The combination of macrocyclic chemistry with co-crystal engineering has promoted the development of materials with vapochromic behaviors in supramolecular science. Herein, we develop a macrocycle co-crystal based on hybrid[4]arene and 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene that is able to construct vapochromic materials. After the capture of benzene and toluene vapors, activated hybrid[4]arene-based co-crystal forms new structures, accompanied by color changes from brown to yellow. However, when hybrid[4]arene-based co-crystal captures cyclohexane and pyridine, neither structures nor colors change. Interestingly, hybrid[4]arene-based co-crystal can separate benzene from a benzene/cyclohexane equal-volume mixture and allow toluene to be removed from a toluene/ pyridine equal-volume mixture with purities reaching 100%. In addition, the process of adsorptive separation can be visually monitored. The selectivity of benzene from a benzene/cyclohexane equal-volume mixture and toluene from a toluene/ pyridine equal-volume mixture is attributed to the different changes in the charge-transfer interaction between hybrid[4]arene and 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene when hybrid[4]arene-based co-crystal captures different vapors. Moreover, hybrid[4]arene-based co-crystal can be reused without losing selectivity and performance. This work constructs a vapochromic material for hydrocarbon separation.

High-resolution electric power load data of an industrial park with multiple types of buildings in China.

Considering the growing demand for electricity in industrial parks, understanding their electric power load patterns is critical for improving energy efficiency and ensuring the rational utilization of energy resources. However, the detailed electric power load data of various buildings in industrial parks are rarely available and accessible, which hinders the related studies. In this context, we present the electric power load data of 6 years (from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2021) for various types of buildings in an industrial park in Suzhou, China. The data are obtained from smart meters and have various time resolutions (i.e., 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 hour). This work describes the data collection, processing process, and different imputation methods. The high-resolution electric power load data can be used for various research tasks, including load prediction, load pattern recognition, anomaly detection, and demand response strategy development.

Efficacy, safety, and Pharmacoeconomics of Three Common Strategies for Pediatric Alopecia Areata Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To evaluate and explore the efficacy, safety, and pharmacoeconomics of three common strategies for pediatric alopecia areata. Methods: Chinese pediatric alopecia areata patients meeting the criteria were included and divided into three groups based on the received treatments. The efficacy, adverse events and pharmacoeconomics of these treatments were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Twenty-four pediatric AA patients were recruited in this study. 100% (12/12) of patients from the traditional group achieved SALT100. In the tofacitinib group, 40.0% (2/5) of patients achieved SALT50. 20.0% (1/5) of patients achieved SALT75 and 40.0% (2/5) of patients achieved SALT100. In the MN group, 42.86% (3/7) of patients were non-responders. 14.28 (1/7) of patients achieved SALT75 and 42.86% (3/7) of patients achieved SALT100. The adverse effects (AEs) were mild in all three groups, and none of the patients discontinued the treatments due to the AEs. Comparing the other two groups, the MN treatment would be more time-intensive and more expensive. Conclusion: For newly diagnosed or naive pediatric patients, the traditional treatment was the first-line approach. For long-duration, severe and refractory patients, tofacitinib and microneedling can be alternative options.

Potential of nonporous adaptive crystals for hydrocarbon separation.

Hydrocarbon separation is an important process in the field of petrochemical industry, which provides a variety of raw materials for industrial production and a strong support for the development of national economy. However, traditional separation processes involve huge energy consumption. Adsorptive separation based on nonporous adaptive crystal (NAC) materials is considered as an attractive green alternative to traditional energy-intensive separation technologies due to its advantages of low energy consumption, high chemical and thermal stability, excellent selective adsorption and separation performance, and outstanding recyclability. Considering the exceptional potential of NAC materials for hydrocarbon separation, this review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in various supramolecular host-based NACs. Moreover, the current challenges and future directions are illustrated in detail. It is expected that this review will provide useful and timely references for researchers in this area. Based on a large number of state-of-the-art studies, the review will definitely advance the development of NAC materials for hydrocarbon separation and stimulate more interesting studies in related fields.

Recent Progress of Supramolecular Chemotherapy Based on Host-Guest Interactions.

Chemotherapy is widely recognized as an effective approach for treating cancer due to its ability to eliminate cancer cells using chemotherapeutic drugs. However, traditional chemotherapy suffers from various drawbacks, including limited solubility and stability of drugs, severe side effects, low bioavailability, drug resistance, and challenges in tracking treatment efficacy. These limitations greatly hinder its widespread clinical application. In contrast, supramolecular chemotherapy, which relies on host-guest interactions, presents a promising alternative by offering highly efficient and minimally toxic anticancer drug delivery. In this review, an overview of recent advancements in supramolecular chemotherapy based on host-guest interactions is provided. The significant role it plays in guiding cancer therapy is emphasized. Drawing on a wealth of cutting-edge research, herein, a timely and valuable resource for individuals interested in the field of supramolecular chemotherapy or cancer therapy, is presented. Furthermore, this review contributes to the progression of the field of supramolecular chemotherapy toward clinical application.

Biphenarenes, Versatile Synthetic Macrocycles for Supramolecular Chemistry.

The development of supramolecular chemistry has always been accompanied by the innovation of macrocyclic hosts. The synthesis of novel macrocycles with unique structures and functions will bring new development opportunities for supramolecular chemistry. As a new generation of macrocyclic hosts, biphenarenes have customizable cavity sizes and diverse backbones, overcoming the limitation that the cavities of traditionally popular macrocyclic hosts are generally smaller than 10 Å. These features undoubtedly endow biphenarenes with distinguished host-guest properties, which have attracted more and more attention. In this review, the structural characteristics and molecular recognition properties of biphenarenes are summarized. In addition, the applications of biphenarenes in adsorption and separation, drug delivery, fluorescence sensing and other fields are introduced. Hopefully, this review will provide a reference for the study of macrocyclic arenes, especially biphenarenes.

Identification of a Novel Mutation of Extracellular Matrix Protein 1 Gene in a Chinese Family with Lipoid Proteinosis.

Lipoid proteinosis (LP) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1), a glycoprotein expressed in skin. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was used to investigate two Chinese siblings with suggestive clinical features of LP. They shared one known (c.960G>A) and one novel (c.1081G>T) pathogenic variant in ECM1 gene, inherited from their unaffected parents. The novel mutation (c.1081G>T) led to a termination codon at position 361 and caused nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and lost the function. Our finding expands the genetic etiology spectrum of LP.

A molecular dynamics study of phospholipid membrane electroporation induced by bipolar pulses with different intervals.

The mechanism of changes in cell electroporation (EP) during the intervals of bipolar pulses is still unclear, and few studies have investigated the effect of the intervals at the molecular level. In this study, EP induced by bipolar pulses (BP) with different intervals was investigated using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Firstly, EP was formed during the positive pulses of 2 ns and 0.5 V nm-1, then the effects of various intervals of 0, 1, 5, and 10 ns on EP evolution were investigated, and the dynamic changes of different degrees of EP induced by the following negative pulses of 2 ns and 0.5 V nm-1 were analyzed. The elimination effect of intervals was determined and it was related to the degrees of EP and the time of intervals. At the last moment of the intervals the phospholipid membrane was classified and quantitatively defined in three states according to the degrees of EP, namely, Resealing, Destabilizing and Retaining states. These states appeared due to the combined effect of both the positive pulse and the interval, and the states represent the degrees of EP which had different responses after applying the negative pulse. These results can improve our understanding of the fundamental mechanism of BP-induced EP.

Pillararene-Based Supramolecular Polymers for Cancer Therapy.

Supramolecular polymers have attracted considerable interest due to their intriguing features and functions. The dynamic reversibility of noncovalent interactions endows supramolecular polymers with tunable physicochemical properties, self-healing, and externally stimulated responses. Among them, pillararene-based supramolecular polymers show great potential for biomedical applications due to their fascinating host-guest interactions and easy modification. Herein, we summarize the state of the art of pillararene-based supramolecular polymers for cancer therapy and illustrate its developmental trend and future perspective.

Supramolecular host-guest nanosystems for overcoming cancer drug resistance.

Cancer drug resistance has become one of the main challenges for the failure of chemotherapy, greatly limiting the selection and use of anticancer drugs and dashing the hopes of cancer patients. The emergence of supramolecular host-guest nanosystems has brought the field of supramolecular chemistry into the nanoworld, providing a potential solution to this challenge. Compared with conventional chemotherapeutic platforms, supramolecular host-guest nanosystems can reverse cancer drug resistance by increasing drug uptake, reducing drug efflux, activating drugs, and inhibiting DNA repair. Herein, we summarize the research progress of supramolecular host-guest nanosystems for overcoming cancer drug resistance and discuss the future research direction in this field. It is hoped that this review will provide more positive references for overcoming cancer drug resistance and promoting the development of supramolecular host-guest nanosystems.

Ruminant-specific genes identified using high-quality genome data and their roles in rumen evolution.

Ruminants comprise a highly successful group of mammals with striking morphological innovations, including the presence of a rumen. Many studies have shown that species-specific or lineage-specific genes (referred to as new genes) play important roles in phenotypic evolution. In this study, we identified 1064 ruminant-specific genes based on the newly assembled high-quality genomes of representative members of two ruminant families and other publically available high-quality genomes. Ruminant-specific genes shared similar evolutionary and expression patterns with new genes found in other mammals, such as primates and rodents. Most new genes were derived from gene duplication and tended to be expressed in the testes or immune-related tissues, but were depleted in the adult brain. We also found that most genes expressed in the rumen were genes predating sheep-sperm whale split (referred to as old genes), but some new genes were also involved in the evolution of the rumen, and contributed more during rumen development than in the adult rumen. Notably, expression levels of members of the ruminant-specific PRD-SPRRII gene family, which are subject to positive selection, varied throughout rumen development and may thus play important roles in the development of the keratin-rich surface of the rumen. Overall, this study generated two novel ruminant genomes and also provided novel insights into the evolution of new mammalian organs.